Continuity; this is something that affects most forms of media but, it’s most noticeable in film and television…the links and plot development between scenes or episodes needs to be coherent otherwise it’s a bit pointless…and this also applies to music, especially when artists release concept series or sets. For example, GREENDAY tried it with a trilogy; “¡Uno!”, “¡Dos!” and “¡Tré!”…the three full albums eventually creating a mini box set but, ultimately, they had run out of steam by the end of the third and it fizzled out, it was a bit much and the quality started slipping as a result, in the end coming across as really mediocre…WILLIAM CONTROL on the other hand is doing it more sensibly. At the tail end of 2016, WC unveiled his first full project since the departure of AIDEN…it was to be entitled “Revelations” and it would be a series of EP’s, four in fact, based on the four horsemen of the apocalypse…so far we’ve had “Pale” and “Black” and it’s safe to say WC has fully embraced a sleeker, more polished pop music approach to his music, and accompanied by his new backing band, THE NEUROMANTIC BOYS, he’s embracing the seedy neon glow of the 80’s. We currently find ourselves with his third installment; “Red”…let’s check it out…

The EP opens up with “Kiss The Girl” and immediately we’re subject to the light, bubbly keyboards so synonymous with 80’s synth-pop…it’s incredibly up-beat and vibrant and it’s tone perfectly captures the real feel of the era, channeling influence from the likes of PET SHOP BOYS and NEW ORDER…full of pop hooks but blanketing a darkness of his character, virtually pining to be dominated…with gang vocals too provided by fans invited to the studio, it’s a real orgy in your ear canal, a strong start. EP highlight “Let Her Go” follows up and again we’re thrown into the past with a truly retro dance–pop number steeped in electronica; it’s got such a positive tone and the new-wave style seems tailor made for Control, this is incredibly infectious, coupled with the subtle layering of “Violator” era DEPECHE MODE within the track; about the sadistic pleasures of love, the risks involved with opening up your heart to vulnerability, it just oozes quality, providing one of the best tracks of the whole series.

“Scar” kicks in and I honestly thought I was watching “Stranger Things” on Netflix, both intro’s are structured very similarly in tone, simplistic, soft keys, almost creepy, before lyrically we’ve got a beautifully deep track about losing faith, embracing lust and it leading you to fall from grace, morally speaking…giving in to desire with no physical or spiritual restrictions, before we wrap things up with the generally methodical “Submit”. Again, in character, it explores feelings and the mind set of BDSM lifestyles; it’s not something casual, if you’re in, you’re in, there are roles and you commit to them, physically and mentally, you give up your body and mind but there’s trust…musically it’s quite morose, almost disappointed…like William has been let down by someone revolving this. With regards to the four horsemen, red represents war, and here throughout the EP you can feel the war rages within…the turmoil of emotions, confliction of lifestyle and it resonates through the four tracks on this latest EP…resulting in another solid offering. Let’s just hope it isn’t released in North Korea…those fuckers don’t need any encouragement! [7]

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Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x